Vincent Ng Wing-shun: the architect bidding to save Hong Kong’s historic buildings
From his days as a quiet and detached student, the president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects has become outspoken about the need to protect city’s heritage
Architect Vincent Ng Wing-shun never expected to become known for preserving local heritage.
In fact, Ng – currently president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects – recalls feeling a distinct lack of emotion when his university professor urged him and other architecture students to go and protest the demolition of the Hong Kong Club Building in Central in the early 1980s. The building was one of the last examples of renaissance architecture in the city before it was torn down and replaced.
“There were so many structures with historical value like the Hong Kong Club, the general post office or even private buildings. One building after another, they were demolished. But back then, no one cared,” Ng said.
He said the course of his career as an architect had slowly pushed him to engage with society and care about the people in it.
“I went from having no feelings [about conservation] to thinking that of course we should do this, we have so many precious items that are disappearing.”
Ng has built an illustrious three-decade-long career that features some of the city’s most iconic structures. Many of these projects represent the collective memory of Hongkongers, including the original preliminary design for the Avenue of Stars and the restoration of Central Market.